Research and Revenue

Through related companies, Carbon Managers have trialed fuel reduction technologies using LPG into diesel and hydrogen into diesel. Devises have been installed into trucks and 4x4 vehicles and tested the results of the emissions at Millbrook, the accredited testing station in the UK for the MOT. The vehicles were then trialed for some months under UK climatic conditions to determine proof of concept.

By wind tunnel testing we are examining aerofoils on trucks to reduce air flow over semi trailers, “B” doubles and passenger coaches.

We understand the grid connect problems of all alternatives summarized in reports on Australia’s energy needs to 2050 and have contributed to the formal consultation processes involved.

Carbon Managers is active in the commercialization and research being undertaken into low heat energy sources, methane gas, solar power, biofuels, ceramic storage and other energy generation alternatives.

Carbon Managers is facilitating R&D into renewable energy from biochar reactors for the production of biochar as a soil amendment, as a carbon sequestration product for offsetting and for the generation of electricity using agricultural harvest waste as the biomass feedstock.

The CSIRO in Newcastle is undertaking extensive solar energy conversion for major industrial power and we are discussing with TAFE a solar installation and management training course developed in conjunction with the Clean Energy Council for the correct installation and management of roof top energy power.

Research in Biodiversity Conservation

Sawfish and the Yugul Mangi Rangers of SE Arnhem Land

Helen Weston has designed and funded a major study into the feasibility of long-term genetic monitoring, by training an Indigenous local community and Recreational Fishers of endangered sawfish species in the Roper River SE Arnhem Land

Her scoping project for a longer term conservation/research project for the four critically endangered Australian Pristidae (sawfish) species occurred in the 2010 dry season. An implementation plan is now developed for the 2011 season. Designed to enroll the direct participation of the Yugul Mangi Marine Rangers of the Roper River SE Arnhem Land in a non invasive data collection method, the study will embed tissue sample collection using a genetag hook into their cultural and fishing practices and with the recreational fishers in a manner which is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

The 2010 study required a review of the genetag hook technology in the context of sawfish in this habitat. The willingness, wishes and aspirations of the Yugul Mangi Rangers in respect of their participation in this project was facilitated with assistance of the Department of Fisheries Northern Territory. Their traditional knowledge of the species and their training needs as data collectors were explored. Successful engagements with the recreational fishers camped on the south bank enabled a comparison of fishing approaches which when combined with the Yugul Mangi Rangers contributed to the development of an implementation approach which will maximize probability of tissue capture/recapture.

An intensive fishing effort over two weeks along with the production of evidence of recent captures from both fishing communities provided an indication that there were at least two of the species in unknown abundance in both the upper and middle reaches of the Roper River. This information raised questions as to whether the reported increase in saltwater crocodiles in the Roper River over the previous decade has offset any improved survival rates from by-catch incidents of sawfish in gill nets after a substantial reduction in barramundi licenses in the Gulf of Carpentaria over the same period.

The 2011 plan is aimed to support the initial stages of the implementation of the long term project by enabling the Yugul Mangi Rangers to begin the sample collection. A number of young Yugul Mangi people will be trained and employed in some of the logistics of sending the samples for analysis by Fisheries NT and Murdoch University. The project has attracted the interest and participation of some leading Australian marine research scientists.

Gould Petrels on Cabbage Tree Island, Port Stephens

Helen contributes both in cash and kind supporting a research student in a study into the foraging ecology of the threatened Gould’s petrel, a subspecies of the gadfly petrel which breeds between November and March almost exclusively on Cabbage Tree Island, Port Stephens. The conservation issues associated with nesting sites when the petrel returns to land are now well understood, however, there are a number of other issues, such as dietary preferences and movements when away from the islands, that are now being investigated. This will help in the development of more comprehensive management plans. The project Helen contributes to uses geolocators (or Global Location Sensing, GLS) to detect foraging locations of Gould’s petrels before and during the breeding season.

An experimental study is being conducted to validate the method by investigating the influence logger attachments have on adult mass changes, chick growth and breeding success. Dietary diversity and variation during the chick rearing period are being investigated. Possible interactions between foraging behaviour and the prey species is being assessed. This study will reveal the unknown foraging locations of Gould’s petrel and contribute to knowledge of foraging behaviour that may indicate the state of marine ecosystems.